Youth Parliamentarians Dig In For First Sitting in Brisbane

The region’s Youth Members had their first taste “of our state's democratic process” last week at the annual forum of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament in Brisbane.

Newly minted Youth Member for Mackay Lilly Uhr attended the three-day event, taking part in the representation of issues of young people in their electorate while learning about government processes in a mock parliament context.

The St. Patrick’s College student met with the other 93 Youth Members from across Queensland at the April forum, including Sam Rogers, Whitsunday representative, and ex-Whitsunday Youth Member Sebastian Padget, now sitting for Hervey Bay.

At the meeting, Youth Members formed committees and discussed ideas. These committees meet again over the course of six months to eventually distil their ideas into bills, which are then debated in mock sittings at Queensland Parliament House by the youth members during the September–October mid-semester break.

The Youth Member for Mackay, Lily Uhr, said the first session in Brisbane Parliament last Friday was extremely engaging.

“It has been a great way to meet a lot of likeminded and interesting people,” she said.

“The highlights have to be the activities and being in parliament, which was fantastic.”

Ms Uhr is part of the T.O.R.C.H. Committee (Transport, Outreach, Regional Communities, and Housing) and said her group had begun discussing building community up in areas that lost it during the Covid pandemic.

“I think our community itself is disconnected since Covid I would love to see more areas for youth to hang out,” she said.

“We’re also looking into social housing, disability housing, and homeless shelters.

“For me, personally, I’m passionate about disability housing – I play a role in disability sport in Mackay and have met people who have struggled to find housing. That’s why I chose this portfolio.”

State Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm said she was looking forward to supporting Lily – who lives within her electorate of Whitsunday - Sam, and Sebastian as they commence their Youth Parliament journey.

“This role is critical because youth represent a large proportion of our community and there is a significant amount of legislation that impacts young peoples' lives every day,” Ms Camm said.

“In the past this programme has developed ideas and policy that has become legislation. I look forward to seeing the bills that are debated this year.”

Former Whitsunday Youth Member Sebastian Padget, now representing Hervey Bay, will work on the Regional Development and Manufacturing, Resources, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Portfolio alongside Youth Member for Whitsunday, Sam Rogers.

“In my portfolio, I’m excited to work alongside the Youth Member for Whitsunday, Sam Rogers, who brings a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm to the table,” Mr Padget said.

“The Queensland Youth Parliament’s a great way for the young people in our region to get our voices down to Brisbane.”

The Youth Parliament will work for the next six months before meeting again in September.

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State Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm with Mackay Youth Member Lily Uhr at the recent three-day sitting of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament

The annual event sees Youth Members from across Queensland converge at state parliament in Brisbane to distil their ideas into a bill in a mock form of the democratic process

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